Firefighters and rescue services mobilized in the center of Brussels on Tuesday. They went on strike and demonstrated to demand more means: “We are asking for refinancing of civil security. We are understaffed, understaffed everywhere. Our interventions are increasing dramatically and the workload is no longer sustainable“, said Eric Labourdette, president SL-FP relief zones.
They have the feeling of no longer being considered. Firefighters claim the difficulty of their job. For them, there is therefore no question of leaving at 65 or 67. “We know that among firefighters, we have a life expectancy reduced by 7 years compared to the rest of the population. It is therefore”, deplores Pierre Adams, CGSP firefighters delegate from Brussels.
Career improvement is one of the main demands. David Moonens has been a corporal for 18 years, he deplores the current policy: “18 years ago, we knew when we went on early retirement, we knew when we were entitled to it. Today, 18 years later, we realize that all the achievements have flown away. We are talking about 67 years, it is relatively exaggerated for us“, regrets the firefighter.
People are at their lowest.
Firefighters are demanding more resources in terms of equipment but also personnel. There are more and more interventions: +60% in Brussels in 10 years. “We experienced the deadly floods in Liège, the covid, the heat wave. And what were the commitments? Nothing. Zero. It costs too much”assures Thomas Courtens, policeman-ambulance officer of the Wapi area (Tournai).
They demand a solid specialization allowance, a better policy in terms of well-being with the recognition of cancer as an occupational disease. They also demand a strong approach to assaults, two days after a new incident against an ambulance driver. Moreover, more and more of them are leaving the profession. “People are at their lowest, it results in absences, burn-outs, departures. If there is no short-term solution and at worst in the medium term, it will become a job in short supply “, notes Marc Gorin, firefighter in the Hainaut center area.